Human existing value and a kitchen mixer

Human existing value and a kitchen mixer

Explanation of Hun Yuan Wholistic Entity based on the example of a kitchen mixer (quoted from Qigong Theory by Hou Hee Chan):

“A kitchen mixer is a structure/entity with many components. But structures alone cannot make it a Hùn Yuán Wholistic Entity. Besides structures, it must have functions, and more important, it must be able to express/perform these functions. Only when the functions are expressed can it be called a Hùn Yuán Wholistic Entity. Therefore, the mixer must have three components to be a Hùn Yuán Wholistic Entity:

• Correct components (structures)
• Functions of each component
• Power to express the overall functions

Even if the mixer has the right components and all components function well, it must have electricity to express its overall functions. If the sequences of the structure are incorrect or the parts are damaged, even with electricity, it still would not express its overall functions. Therefore, only when the correct components and interactive functions plus power in the form of electricity merge as one will the mixer show its overall functions.

Even when the mixer is functioning correctly, it will not show its value without some flour in the bowl. The definition of an entity’s characteristic includes the entity’s existing value. The existing value is expressed during the process of the entity’s interactions with external substances. Without the flour, the value (mixing the flour) of the mixer would not show; only when mixing the flour does the value (wholistic feature) of the mixer show.”

Let’s look closer at these lines:
The definition of an entity’s characteristic includes the entity’s existing value. The existing value is expressed during the process of the entity’s interactions with external substances.

It is exactly in the interaction with external substances like:

– people (family, friends, colleagues, meeting new people)
– environments (travel, office, holidays, going out)
– new stuff (e.g. while shopping)

that the lock-down hits us as human beings. And it is true that most of us have defined our existing “value” on the basis of these outside interactions like our jobs, friends, activity schedule in the weekend, holiday destinations.

In the past year of corona, many people have discovered the opportunity this offers to redefine themselves and discover a different way of “interacting” with the external world. Like we do e.g. with online (qigong) classes, playing games, reviewing our holiday pictures, starting a new hobby and connecting with nature.

But in order to make this a permanent growth of our being rather than a temporary solution to create some comfort, it is necessary to become conscious of the sudden change of our perceived value and what this does to us in order to be able to open our frame of reference and free ourselves from the old illusion. This requires significant work including recognising loss, emotions and grieving. Our qigong practice will be immensely helpful in this. And it may require support in the form of a coach, qigong teacher or therapist.

Then this loss may actually become the source of an immense growth we’ve never expected!

Nynke Roukema

The book: ‘Qigong Theory’ from Hou Hee Chan

Qigong Theory